Jacob has just gotten an interview for a job he really wants. With his excitement, his heartbeat increases, his blood pressure rises, and he begins to perspire. Which nervous system is responsible for these physiological changes?

The sympathetic nervous system.

Explanation:

The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body to respond quickly to external stimulation or to situations that require alertness or strength, such as situations that arouse fear, anger, excitement or shame (situations of "fight or flight"). In this type of situation, the sympathetic nervous system stimulates the heart muscles to increase the heart rate and thus increases the rate with which oxygen and nutrients are sent to the blood, dilating the bronchi of the lungs (increases oxygen retention) and causes the dilation of blood vessels that supply the heart and skeletal muscles (increasing the blood supply). The sympathetic system innervates the sweat glands and when the body is under situations of anxiety or stress stimulates them causing perspire to occur.